Chavez, Gordon lead Earthquakes past Dallas

SANTA CLARA (AP) — Marvin Chavez scored against his former team and Alan Gordon added his eighth goal of the season to lead the San Jose Earthquakes to a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas on Wednesday.

San Jose had to withstand an 89th-minute goal from Hernan Pertuz and a missed penalty kick in the 94th minute by Jair Benitez.

The Earthquakes (13-4-4) widened their lead in the Supporters' Shield race to seven points clear of Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City. San Jose is unbeaten at home in Buck Shaw Stadium since Aug. 13, an 8-0-3 run.

Chavez, who was dealt to San Jose from Dallas in the offseason for allocation money, struck from the edge of the penalty box in the 12th minute, ripping a well-placed shot to the far post off a skidding cross by Shea Salinas.

Gordon doubled San Jose's advantage with a header in the 45th minute, also beating Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman to the back post. Benitez started the play with a poor pass that led to a turnover deep in Dallas' third of the field. San Jose made three passes through the midfield before the ball reached Sam Cronin, whose looping pass from 35 yards found the loosely marked Gordon.

Chris Wondolowski, MLS' leading scorer, appeared to strike for his 18th goal of the season on a 61st-minute penalty brought about by Brek Shea's clear hand ball in Dallas' box. But San Jose was called for encroachment on Wondolowski's successful first attempt, and Hartman dove to his left to save the redo.

Pertuz got Dallas within a goal on a flying header, but Benitez gave away a chance to steal a road point after Zach Loyd was bundled over by San Jose midfielder Simon Dawkins in second-half injury time. With Brek Shea, Dallas' usual penalty-kick taker, having been subbed off, Benitez stepped up to the spot and flashed his attempt just above the crossbar.